BY BICYCLE

   

CYCLOTOURISM – MARBLE AND GRANITE ROUTE

In this bicycle ride you can discover beautiful areas in the Alentejo, each different from the other: The outskirts of Estremoz and Évora.


The cyclotourism tour can be done with the assistance of a guide or be done independently.


Accommodation: Two fantastic rural tourism units. We hope our country homes will be your holiday homes!


If you prefer a shorter stay we can arrange a program with fewer nights.


DAY 1

Arrival at Évora or Estremoz

Transfer to Herdade do Monte Branco

Welcome drink

Briefing

Dinner served in the house

Accommodation in Herdade do Monte Branco

 

DAY 2

Wine and Marble Route


Dinner – you can order dinner in the Estate

Accommodation in Herdade do Monte Branco

 

DAY 3

Sanctuary route


Transfer from Redondo to Évora

Dinner at Monte do Serrado de Baixo

Accommodation: Monte do Serrado de Baixo http://montedoserradodebaixo.com/pt/home/


DAY 4

Megalith route


Dinner – you can order dinner in the Estate

Accommodation: Monte do Serrado de Baixo


DAY 5

Wine and cheese route


Dinner – you can order dinner in the Estate

Accommodation: Monte do Serrado de Baixo


DAY 6

Olive grove route


Dinner – you can order dinner in the Estate

Accommodation: Monte do Serrado de Baixo


DAY 7

Check out

 

WINE AND MARBLE ROUTE

Bicycle ride from the Estate to Estremoz, return trip.

The route starts among the marble quarries, an imposing landscape that makes you feel like you’re walking on the Moon or on Mars. If it is a week day, make the most of this time to observe the men working in the quarry.

In Vila Viçosa discover how this rock is marvellously applied in houses and manor houses, churches, royal residences and palaces. Visit the Marble Museum and then go on to Borba. Here you will find typical taverns, with a party atmosphere. “Larga a Velha” is one such tavern. Don’t miss a get-together! Next go through the oak grove using side roads until you reach Arcos, a small quaint village where you should also visit “António dos Potes”. Also visit Glória and make a detour to Estremoz, which is not to be missed. Try a wine in Quinta do Carmo and go back in time for the evening in Monte Branco.


SANCTUARY ROUTE

Trip from the Estate to Redondo, followed by a transfer.

Leave the Estate to the south and see the provoking slopes of serra d' Ossa. You may like to go up them but at the same time they may seem to be too great a challenge! Then follow on in the direction of Alandroal, where you can visit the fantastic castle and beautiful marble fountain, which is richly decorated. From here it’s just a quick hop to Santuário de Terena /Terena Sanctuary, which unexpectedly has a magnificent fortified church, full of frescoes and history. After this go to Hortinhas, an extremely small village where a local artisan, who used to sculpt oleander roots, once lived. You can see some of his works in the Alandroal Tourism Office.

From here go on to Redondo, where you can stay as long as you wish, visiting the wine museum, the wine cellar or the pottery rooms in the castle.


MEGALITHIC ROUTE

Departure from the Estate by car. Transfer of 30 kilometres. The route starts in Guadalupe.

Cycle back to the Estate.

The trail goes through beautiful holm oak forests. In the pastures you will see different species of cows, which bring some colour to the landscape. Herds of goats and sheep move about lazily. In the Spring, little lambs hop about near the granite rocks.

Visit the Dolmen of Zambujeiro (the biggest in Europe), the Cromeleque dos Almendres/Cromelech of Almendres (probably the oldest megalithic monument in Europe) and the Menir dos Almendres /Menhir of Almendres. In Valverde visit the Igreja da Mitra/ Church of Mitra and the Ruínas Romanas de Nossa Sr.ª da Tourega/ Roman Ruins of Our Lady of Tourega.

In the afternoon you can cycle in the city of Évora and discover the amazing history of this beautiful city. You can visit the surreal Capela dos Ossos - Bones’ chapel and the impressive cathedral from the 13th century.


WINE AND CHEESE ROUTE

Cycle from the Estate to Arraiolos and back.

Take the ecotrail, go through small farms, until you reach a village called Ilhas. In Ilhas visit the fun Aldeia da Terra, where there is a lot of humour shown in the quirky clay dolls. The next stop is in Arraiolos, with its rich Historical Centre, the famous carpets and the delicious Pastéis de Toucinho - bacon pastries.

The views from the Castle are unforgettable.

It’s now time to visit a winery and, a few kilometres later, a cheese dairy where they also produce local liqueurs. Delicious!

We advise you to taste the products of this Estate, which include the different types of cheese but also the jam, honey and liqueurs (charged separately).

On your way back to our Estate you’ll pass by the Divor dam and those that are more adventurous can return on a track that runs along the reservoir.


OLIVE GROVE ROUTE

Cycle from our Estate to Valongo. Return transfer.

Start again using the ecotrail, this time in the direction of Évora. The road goes up and down between olive groves, and offers beautiful views of Serra d' Ossa, far away.

In Nossa Senhora de Machede/Our Lady of Machede visit a traditional leather factory and, during the months of (October/November), an olive oil mill.

Then follow on to Valongo to visit the outside of its surreal
Castle built in the middle of nowhere. From here go on an adventure, following a dirt track until you reach the gorgeous Moinho do Alcaide – Alcaide Water Mill. The path follows on along the river passing by several abandoned mills until you reach the main road. You can visit a winery at the end of the tour.

 

 

PRICE:

SELF GUIDED BICYCLE RIDE:

XXX per person, minimum 2 people

Xx per person, minimum 4 people


GUIDED BICYCLE RIDE:


XXX per person, minimum 2 people

Xx per person, minimum 4 people


INCLUDES

  • 2 Nights in a double room in Herdade do Monte Branco – Monte Branco Estate

  • 4 Nights in a double room Monte do Serrado de Baixo – Monte do Serrado de Baixo Estate

  • 2 Dinners

  • Bicycles for the entire stay with a bag and map holder

  • Transfer to Monte Branco Estate, from Évora or Estremoz

  • Transfer from Redondo to Évora, to the Monte do Serrado de Baixo Estate

  • Transfer from the Estate to the beginning of the megaliths route

  • Transfer from the end of the Olive grove Route to the Monte Serrado de Baixo Estate

  • Regional welcome snack

  • Maps, instructions for the tour and history notes

  • Personal injury insurance



GUIDED TOURS ALSO INCLUDE

  • Guide

  • Two wine tasting sessions

  • Admission into three museums



NOT INCLUDED

  • Airport transfer service to Évora/Estremoz – we can include this, at an additional cost

  • Extra dinners at the Monte Estates – they can be ordered

  • Lunches – the guide will stop near the local cafés

  • Assistance van – it is a semi-dependent tour but there is a guide. Pick up can be provided, at an additional cost, if you are tired.

  • Travel insurance – See terms and conditions.

  • Tour cancelation insurance – See terms and conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         
 
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